Button-clasp.



110.730,136. l fY,PATBNTBDlJUNB-m1903;'" A B. P.LBNTZ.,

vBUTTON CLASP. A APPLIoATIoN HLM) Nov. `15, 190e. No MODEL. v

, UNTTED STATES Patented-J une 2, 1903,

BENJAMIN F. LENTZ, OFVSOMERSET., OHIO.

BUTTON-CLASP.

SPECIFICATION forming part of Letters Patent No. 730,136, dated J' une 2, 1903.

Application filed November l5, 1902. Serial No. 131,524. (No model.)

button, for holding the latter securely in applied position, and readily assembled in operative relation to a button without requiring a change in the normal structure of the latter.

The invention consists in the construction and arrangement of the several parts, which will be more fully hereinafter described and claimed.

In the drawings, Figure 1 is a perspective view of a clasp shown detached and enlarged and embodying the features of the invention.

Fig. 2 is a front elevation of a modified formI of the clasp shown on an enlarged scale. Fig. 3 is an elevation of a button embodying the clasp and looking toward the rear side thereof. Fig. 4 is a rear elevation of the button shown by Fig. 3, the back plate or cover-V ing removed and showing the clasp in further modiiied form.

to indicate corresponding parts in the several views. I

In all of the forms of the improved clasp a similar body-framel isemployed and has a lower reduced extremity 2. This body-frame is formed of resilient wire ol'l asuitable gage, One piece of Wire being used and bent toA give the body-frame thecontourspecified. At the lower extremity of the body the wire is intertWisted, as at 3, and continued upwardly and outwardly to form cla'spingarms 4, which movably engage the opposite side portions of the body-frame at a point above the lower reduced extremity of the latter, the arms all having inwardly-'bent portions 5 to produce a contracted throat G, leading to a seati 7, adapted to receive a projecting headed device attached to a garment in either a permanent or removable manner.

The head of the device with which the clasp is adapted to engage has a greater diameter than the maximum distance of the Similar numerals of reference are employed portions of the arms disposed on opposite` sides of and defining the seat 7, so that when said headed device is connected to the clasp disengagement of the button or other device with which the clasp is used will be prevented until manual detachment ensues. The intertwisted portions of the wire dv at the lower terminal of the frame 1 stiffen said part of the frame and cause the arms 4 to more readily return to normal position and resist abnormal bending orv misshaping of the arms.

The modification in the structure resides mainly in a different form of engagement of the terminals of the arms 4 with the opposite sides of the body-frame, and secondarily ina difference in the shape of the arms, as shown by Fig. 4, relatively to the arms, as shown by Figs. 1 and 2. In the sides of the body-frame, as shown by Fig. 1, eyes 8 are formed, and therethrough the terminals of the arms 4 movably project. The upper terminals of the arms4, as shown by Fig. 2,`are formed with eyes 9, which slidingly embrace the opposite sides of the body-frame 1, and in the form of the device more clearly shown by Fig. 4, but also embodied in Fig. 3, eyes 10 are constructed in the opposite sides of the body-frame 1, (shown by Fig. 1,) and through said eyes 10 the terminals of the arms 4 in Fig. 4 also movably project. The arms 4 (shown by Fig. 4) extend upwardly from the lower intertwist 3 of the wires in converging planes toward the throat 6 and then outwardly through the eyes 10.

As a means for accurately inserting and guiding the headed projecting device adapted to engage the improved form of clasp the button is preferably formed with a back plate or cover 11, having a keyhole-slot 12 in the center thereof, with an enlarged extremity in advance of the throat 6, the maximum diameter of said extremity being slightly larger than the maximum distance between the portions of the arms at opposite sides ofthe seat 7, so as to easily admit the head ofthe said projecting device into the button..A The opposite extremity of the slot 12 is materially less in width than the said enlarged extremity of the slot and is located over the seat 7.-

`The clasp is almost entirely hidden by the back plate or cover 11, and while the use ofA said latter part is advantageous it will be understood that in some instances a button may be provided with the clasp and without the said back plate or cover.

The improved clasp is intended to be used with advertising and ornamental buttons, as well as buttons hearing insignia of different organizations and societies, and in the general construction of such devices the face of the b n tten is struck outwardly or formed from suitable metal, having a rearinturned iiange, as clearly shown by Fig. l. In assembling the improved clasp with this form of button the upper and lower extremities or ends are sprung under opposite portions of the said iiange, and as said opposite ends ot' the clasp or the bodyrame are straight and parallel and one end of said body being of greater extent than the other the arms 4. will always be maintained in one position `for convenience in connecting the clasp with a headed device.

\Vhen the headed device is applied in operative relation to the clasp, it enters between the arms 4 opposite the throat G, and by pushing the button in the proper direction the' shank of the headed projection will be forced through the throat and enter the seat 7. In detaching the button from a headed projection a movement in a direction opposite to that just set forth is imparted thereto.

The improved form of clasp is especially intended i'or nse 'with cuff-buttons and will and minor details may be resorted to without in the least departing` l rom the spirit ol' the invention.

Having,` thus described the invention, what is claimed as new is l. In a buttonclasp the combination of a bod y-frame havin g upwardly-projecting outwardly-extending` arms contracted at intermediate points to form a throat leading to a seat between the lower portions of said arms, the upper terminals of the arms movably engaging the opposite sides of the b0dy-frame.

2. In a device of the class set forth, a bodyframe having arms projecting from one end thereof and laterally deflected, the arms having` a seat formed between them and providing); a contracted throat leading to said seat, the terminals of the arms and the opposite sides of the frame having,r a loose connecting.;` en gagement. Y

In testimony whereof I aiiix my signature in presence of two witnesses.

BENJAMIN I". LENTZ.

lVitnesses:

OWEN YosT, R. lf. BAKER. 

